Recent Pennsylvania car accidents: family receives $32 million
A man, as well as the company he worked for, was recently ordered to pay nearly $32 million to a family whose boy was killed by the man in a car accident that took place in 2012. The Kittanning man was driving a truck and crashed into the family’s car. When fatal car accidents like these occur in Pennsylvania, the victims’ families may be entitled to file a wrongful death claims against the party or parties responsible.
The family was traveling north on Route 28 in early May in 2012 when the car began to experience car trouble. The truck, which was driven by the Kittanning man, struck their car. The six-year-old boy was killed due to injuries suffered in the crash. The boy’s parents, as well as his younger brother, suffered injuries.
According to the lawsuit, the driver had over 20 seconds to either change lanes, slow down or stop his vehicle. However, it is said that he did not do anything until a little over a half a second before he rear-ended the family’s vehicle. The man plead guilty to homicide by vehicle, as well as reckless endangerment and speeding and he received a jail sentence of six to 23 months. The $32 million verdict, which was handed down on a recent Tuesday in December by an Allegheny County jury, is one of the largest resulting from a wrongful death lawsuit that was filed in Allegheny County that involved a child’s death.
When fatal accidents that could have been prevented occur in Pennsylvania, it can be devastating to a family. However, when fatal car accidents are caused due to the proved negligence of another party or parties, victims’ families are typically entitled to file wrongful death suits. Successfully navigated, this type of claim may result in the entry of a monetary judgement that can help to make amends for documented financial losses related to the accident, such as end-of-life expenses. Grieving families typically consult an experienced personal injury attorney to begin this process.
Source: CBS Pittsburgh, “Man, company ordered to pay $32 million to family of boy killed In 2012 crash“, Lisa Washington, Dec. 16, 2015
